Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in business development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Mary Zargarian, Founder of Zargarian Consulting, located in Brentwood, CA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Zargarian Consulting is an operations consultancy that helps small businesses and non-profits create sustainable success by turning their workload into workflows and optimizing the way they resource business priorities. We're a team of dedicated consultants who have worked with clients ranging from non-profits to small businesses to Fortune 500 companies. We're focused on helping our clients grow their businesses through technology, automation, and process optimization. We believe that every business has unique needs and goals, so we tailor our services around those specific needs. That means we look to find ways to make your operation more efficient and productive so that you can focus on what matters most: running your business!
Tell us about yourself
I've always been drawn to simplicity. When I was growing up, my mom and dad used to comment on my ability to organize things, even as a child. And it's true! I've never liked clutter or complicated things. That's why I found myself drawn to organizational effectiveness and human resources management for large corporations. It just seemed so clear to me—and so simple! You could boil down an entire company down to a series of objectives, plans, and processes that would keep everyone on track.
And then, one day, while working in my corporate career, I realized: there's no reason why this model can't work for small businesses as well! So now here I am, CEO and Principal Consultant at Zargarian Consulting, where we partner with CEOs and small businesses to help them strategize and operationalize on the things that matter most for their business. One of our core values is to embrace simplicity at the core of everything—and that's what guides us in everything we do. We look to streamline how organizations define goals and plans and operationalize their teams and systems to create sustainable results.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I am proud of the fact that I stepped into my business full-time and, within 6 months, began hiring my own team and building out an agency business model. In our first year of business, we surpassed our revenue goal and ended 2022 with a solid book of clients - many of which are coming in via referral and repeat business!
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
When I think about my career, the first thing that comes to mind is how much I love team leadership. It's not just something I've done—it's something that I've nurtured and truly enjoyed over my career. As a business owner, it also now translates to a feeling of responsibility for their well-being and professional development. It has honestly been the most rewarding part of growing an agency, as well as one of the stressors of this business model. I am very protective of my team and am constantly looking for ways to put ideas and vision into practice so I can create opportunities for them.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
First and foremost, have a great idea and a strong vision. My team regularly comments on my ability to share my vision for this business and turn ideas into action. This also ties in really well with my second tip - Don't be afraid to take risks. As a new business owner, much of what we do is by trial and learning. Nothing is ever a sure thing, and we are constantly testing new ideas and new markets and assessing how things are going while we are in the thick of things. My final tip would be to stay organized and manage your time wisely. If you are in business by yourself as a solo entrepreneur, set clear and focused goals and assess how you spend your time to give yourself a fair chance of success. Organize yourself early; it will be much easier to get your ideas to market and expand your team when the timing is right.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://zargarian.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teamzargarian/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/zargarian/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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